Horses Seized In Animal Abuse Investigation

A Tulsa County woman is under arrest on 13 counts of animal cruelty. Tulsa County Sheriff's deputies seized two dozen horses on Wednesday from a home near Leonard, southeast of Bixby. Authorities

Wednesday, May 9th 2007, 8:37 pm

By: News On 6

A Tulsa County woman is under arrest on 13 counts of animal cruelty. Tulsa County Sheriff's deputies seized two dozen horses on Wednesday from a home near Leonard, southeast of Bixby. Authorities say some of the animals have injuries, or are showing signs of neglect. Deputies call the living conditions awful, but News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports, the horse owner tells a different story.

When sheriff's deputies arrived at the property near Leonard, they say they found animals in terrible conditions. So deputies decided to seize the horses.

"No food, no water. The conditions they were living in were awful," said Tulsa County deputy David Long. "Then we have several that were out in a round pens that had no food. They had water they were standing in because of all the rain and they had been standing in it, so they have a problem with thrush."

Sheriff's deputies say 13 of the 24 horses are in bad health. Two with hoof problems will likely have to be euthanized. The other horses are in good shape, but were seized as part of the investigation to ensure they'll get the care they need.

"They would be better off if they had sold them, even if they were show horses," Long said. "If you can't care for your animals, donate them, sell them, there's a lot of things they could have done before they got in this condition."

"It is a horrible shame. There's no reason for it whatsoever. None," said horse lover Donna Murray.

Donna Murray, a realtor who came to look at the property, alerted authorities after she saw the horses.

"I haven't slept since I found them. I've just been sick to my stomach," she said.

Murray says there are no excuses for the damaged pens, lack of food and water, and piles of waste.
"We had to wench open several of the doors because there was so much manure and everything blocking the doors that we couldn't dig it out," said Long.

Volunteers loaded up the horses, taking them to Collinsville where they'll be kept until this case is resolved.

The News On 6 spoke with the owner of the horses. She didn't want to go on camera, but she told Craig Day there was feed and hay in the barn, and that she has receipts to prove that the animals have been fed. But she does say the quality of the hay may not be as good as it normally is. The owner says they're responsible horse owners, but the January ice storm damaged a barn, which has made it harder to care for the horses. She says she's treated the horses injuries with medication, including antibiotics, but has had a hard time getting a veterinarian to come to check on the animals.

Sheriff's deputies say they'll recommend animal abuse charges to the Tulsa County District Attorney.

Watch the video: Neglected Horses Discovered In Tusla County, Said Deputies